26 June 2023 , 17:38
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Jakub Kiwior says that he's "glad there's going to be more competition" at Arsenal, who are close to completing the signing of fellow defender Jurrien Timber from Ajax.
The Gunners have already agreed personal terms with Timber, 22, over a five-year contract and submitted two bids for the Dutchman, the second being worth £38million. Reports suggest that although Ajax are yet to respond to the follow-up offer, confidence is growing at the Emirates and Kiwior's comments indicate that the Arsenal squad are now expecting Timber's imminent arrival.
Back home in Poland following the recent international fixtures, during which Kiwior scored his first goal for his country in their 1-0 friendly victory over Germany, the Arsenal centre-back was asked about new players joining the Gunners during an interview with Meczyki.
"I'm glad there's going to be more competition," Kiwior replied before asking the reporter: "Who's coming?" After being told who the player in question was, the 23-year-old replied: "It's great that Timber is joining. Let the best players play at Arsenal. Let's win matches and win trophies together."
While Kiwior didn't outright confirm Timber's big-money move, Mirror Football understands that the Netherlands international centre-back believes that he has a verbal agreement with Arsenal which should push the transfer through. The Gunners have identified Timber as someone who can bolster their defensive unit ahead of their return to Champions League.
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Like Kiwior, the Ajax academy graduate is able to play as a full-back on his favoured side - the right - and comfortable in possession. Those are traits which boss Mikel Arteta will appreciate, having struggled to find the perfect fit at right-back since returning to the Emirates as manager four years ago.
Jurrien Timber's move to Arsenal is edging closer after agreeing personal terms (Patrick Goosen/BSR Agency/Getty Images)Have your say! Would Jurrien Timber be a good signing for Arsenal at £38m? Give us your verdict in the comments section.
Last season, Ben White enjoyed the lion's share of minutes and before that it was Takehiro Tomiyasu. The latter is expected to be ruled out until towards the end of the calendar year, making Timber even more of an important signing.
The Dutch defender has already hinted that he's ready to leave Ajax after a nine-year association with the Eredivisie giants. "Will I stay with Ajax anyway? I'm not sure, I can't say that," Timber recently told Vandaag Inside. "I'm not in talks with Ajax now. My agent had a good talk a few times, but it's not like we're talking about anything right now."
He added: "There is a lot of concrete interest and I have made agreements with Ajax. Last year Ajax asked me to stay for at least one more season and to extend my contract. As a club boy, I did that with love and after the season we will review the situation. At the Dutch national team, I often talk to boys who play football abroad. I want to take that step someday."